Results obtained with low vision aids

摘要

In this retrospective study of 261 patients (181 female and 80 male) the results obtained in a special low vision clinic are described. The mean age of the patients was 73.5 years (range 16–95 years). Visual acuity of the best eye was ⩽0.08 in 26 patients (10.0); better than 0.08 but ⩽0.25 in 130 (50); 0.30 in 62 (23.8) and better than 0.30 in 42 patients (16.1). Persons with a visual acuity better than 0.30 either could not read normal print or had restricted visual fields. Main causes of visual impairment were macular degeneration (38.9), diabetic retinopathy (16.1), glaucoma (8.4) and cataract (7.4). Low vision aids could be prescribed for 208 persons (79.7). Follow-up of an average of 12 months (range, 3–22 months) was carried out in 250 cases (96). In this period 24 patients (9) died. At least 161 persons (62) used their aids regularly, i.e. 77 of the patients who were given a low vis